Sowoon Arts and Heritage and the Museum of TTU held their Fifth Annual International Arts and Culture Symposium at the Helen DeVitt Jones Auditorium and Sculpture Court of the Museum of TTU on Saturday, April 1, 2017. The theme of this symposium was “Marriage in Different Cultures.”

Dr. Gary Morgan, Executive Director of the Museum of TTU, Ms. Kyungah Nam, President of Sowoon Arts and Heritage, Dr. Sukant Misra, Associate Vice Provost for International Programs at TTU, and Mr. Joe Scarborough, President of The Center for Global Understanding, welcomed all of the guests. Their enthusiasm was contagious.

From left to right: Dr. Gary Morgan, Executive Director of the Museum of TTU Dr. Lennart Van Haaften, Groom Ms. Jessica Carr, Bride Ms. Kyungah Nam, President of Sowoon Arts and Heritage

The program opened with Maestro David Cho, Director of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, playing a wedding composition on the piano and then talking about its significance. Next, Prof. Rachel Anderson, Professor of the Department of Design of TTU, told about the evolution of wedding costumes of various eras and countries. Dr. Joseph Hodes, Professor in the Honors College of TTU, followed describing how India's geography affected its religious philosophy and its approach to marriage. Dr. Mark Charney, Director of the School of Theater and Dance at TTU, led a successful panel discussion which actively involved the lecturers, the performers, and the audience. Lastly, Dr. Myungwon Yoon, Professor of the Department of Korean Traditional Music at Dankook University, Seoul, Korea, led an authentic traditional Korean wedding ceremony. The symposium concluded with a reception, including the traditional Indian wedding custom of Mehndi (henna), wedding cake, and refreshments for all.

Maestro David Cho, Director of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, playing wedding music on the piano during the symposium.

As one of the sponsors each year, the Office of International Affairs, K-12 Global Education Outreach (GEO) unit participates by hosting local high school students for special events with the performers leading up to the symposium. This year, K-12 GEO students from Talkington School for Young Women Leaders attended a special wedding and music ceremony at the International Cultural Center with Dr. Yoon. The unit also collaborated with TTU international students to provide the traditional Mehndi wedding activities during the symposium reception.

The courtyard of the bride's family with the wedding participants.

The groom, Dr. Lennart Van Haaften, and the bride, Ms. Jessica Carr, with her two assistants, Ms. Misun Lim and Ms. Junghwa Shin, bowing to family and friends at their wedding with the officiant, Dr. Myungwon Yoon, in the center, and friends, Daniel and Jason in the background.